Centers

On Annex

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Property Would

Raise Tax Revenues

BOCA RATON — City officials are once again eyeing Crocker Center and Town Center, looking for riches - namely a million dollars a year, maybe more, in additional tax revenues.

It's an exercise repeated every few years. City officials send letters to the owners of the mall and its neighbors to see if they are willing to be annexed into the city.

Several factors may make annexation easier this time:

-- State annexation rules were relaxed in 1993 so that only half the property owners must agree to annexation.

-- The number of separate property owners in the area has dropped from about 70 to about 15.

-- The city has political leverage. Knight Enterprises hopes to build a major mall in the northwest part of the city. Town Center's owners could opt for annexation so city officials will be less tempted by the promise of a new mall to fatten the tax base.

"There have been changes in ownership at the mall, changes in the law, so we figured we'd send out some inquiries," City Manager Richard Witker said. "It doesn't hurt to ask."

Annexation of these sites, in fact, is considered a painless way to expand the tax base because the commercial properties pay more in taxes than they cost the city in services, such as police and fire protection.

Town Center includes six department stores and more than 100 specialty stores. Crocker Center is a 55-acre retail, office and hotel complex.

A 1985 annexation study shows that the city would see an increased demand for fire and police protection. The city also would see a drop in utility payments. Town Center and Crocker Center already use the city's water system, but must pay a 25 percent premium because they are outside the city limits.

The study also shows, however, that the city would eventually gain at least $900,000 a year in revenues.

There are some trade-offs. For example, both commercial centers may violate the city's rigid design and appearance criteria, particularly its sign code.

But City Council member Steven Abrams said that's not a difficult call for political leaders. "For $1 million, I'd allow an oversized sign," he said.

Palm Beach County developer Tom Crocker said he hasn't decided if Crocker Center should be annexed by the city.

"We would pay additional taxes if we went into the city, so there would have to be an economic benefit to us," he said.

Several years ago, Crocker applied for annexation but dropped it as the development - and controversy - of Mizner Park grew.

In past efforts to annex the properties, response from property owners has been mixed.